U.S. and Iran Close In on One-Page Memorandum to End War and Set Nuclear Talks Framework

The United States and Iran are closing in on a one-page memorandum of understanding to end the war and set a framework for more detailed nuclear negotiations, according to Axios, which cited two U.S. officials and two other sources briefed on the issue.

Axios said the White House expects Iranian responses on several key points in the next 48 hours, while noting that “Nothing has been agreed yet.”

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The proposed framework would involve Iran committing to a moratorium on nuclear enrichment, the U.S. agreeing to lift its sanctions and release billions in frozen Iranian funds, and both sides lifting restrictions around transit through the Strait of Hormuz.

Axios also reported that the one-page, 14-point memorandum is being negotiated between Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner and several Iranian officials, directly and through mediators, with talks that could happen in Islamabad or Geneva.

Iran said it is reviewing the U.S. proposal, with an Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson telling ISNA that “The American proposal is still being reviewed by Iran” and that after concluding it would inform the Pakistani side of Tehran’s opinion.

In response to the Axios report, Ebrahim Rezaei of the Iranian Parliament’s national security and foreign policy commission wrote on X that “The Americans will not gain anything in a war they are losing.”

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BBC reported that a senior member of Iran’s parliament dismissed the proposal as a “wish list,” while a foreign ministry spokesman said Tehran would share its views with Pakistani mediators.

BBC also quoted Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying, “we don't have to have the actual agreement written in one day,” and described the proposal as including suspension on Iranian nuclear enrichment, lifting sanctions, and restoring free transit through the Strait of Hormuz.

The proposed memorandum would declare an end to the war in the region and start a 30-day period of negotiations on a detailed agreement to open the Strait of Hormuz, limit Iran’s nuclear program, and lift U.S. sanctions, according to Axios.

Axios said Iran’s restrictions on shipping through the strait and the U.S. naval blockade would be gradually lifted during that 30-day period, but warned that if negotiations collapse, U.S. forces would be able to restore the blockade or resume military action.

Trump tied the diplomatic push to military leverage, writing on Truth Social that “If they don’t agree, the bombing starts, and it will be, sadly, at a much higher level and intensity than it was before.”

The BBC account also said the proposal has not been publicly outlined, even as Reuters reported that two sources briefed on the mediation confirmed the information initially reported by Axios.